Poll

Government

The U. S. 460 eastbound lanes in the S-curve east of Montvale are now open.
The lanes have been closed since the evening of May 28 when a Watts Petroleum tanker truck rolled over in the curve, killing the driver. The tanker spilled 6,800 gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel. The fuel soaked into the soil in the area of the roll-over, requiring a clean-up.

The facility that the Agape Center uses in Moneta will receive tax exempt status. The supervisors voted unanimously, Monday night, to grant this.
When County Attorney Carl Boggess presented the request to the supervisors, he noted that an important test for this status is that the organization gives back to the community more than the county loses in tax revenue. He said that the taxes on the building amount to $2,000 per year, but Agape clearly gives more than that back to the community.

It may soon be possible for people living in residential areas in Bedford County to keep chickens.
The Bedford County Planning Commission is considering a text amendment to the county’s zoning ordinance that will allow chickens without any special permits.
One decision was minimum lot size.

Two weeks ago District 7 Supervisor Tammy Parker read a statement asserting that the county’s planning staff supported revising the existing zoning ordinance over writing a new one.
Parker was a member of the planning staff at the time of her election last fall and resigned the position prior to being sworn in to her elected office. Last week, four members of the county’s planning staff went on record in phone interviews supporting Parker’s contention.

Ken Hildebrandt, who is running for the 5th Congressional District seat as a Virginia Independent Green, believes that making it legal to grow hemp in the United States will help the district’s economy.

Hemp is a relative of marijuana, but has low levels of THC, the narcotic agent in marijuana. The plant has historically been used as a source of fibers for ropes and textiles. Hildebrandt believes hemp could become a $1 trillion industry in the United States if its cultivation were legal.

Ten years ago James Youngblood believed Bedford County made him a promise.
County officials don’t agree.
At a Board of Supervisors meeting last week, Youngblood, who lives in Forest, made his case before the supervisors, asking that they would revisit an unfulfilled promise that he says has encumbered his 240-acre property off Blackwater Road for the past decade—a decision he says county officials agreed to, in writing.

A controversy surrounding the Bedford County Board of Supervisors’ decision to revise, rather than replace, the existing zoning ordinance continues.
Last month District 2 planning commission member Lynn Barnes resigned, sharply criticizing the board of supervisors in his resignation statement. Monday night, District 7 Supervisor Tammy Parker responded to Barnes, reading from a prepared statement.

The Aug. 21 Bedford County Planning Commission meeting came to a surprise ending when District 2 planning commission member Lynn Barnes announced his resignation.
The resignation was effective immediately. Barnes has represented District 2 on the planning commission for seven years.
Barnes cited frustration with the board of supervisors as his reason.
“I think the board [of supervisors] has forced this planning commission into a position of giving in,” Barnes said.

Tuesday night's Bedford County Planning Commission meeting came to a surprise ending when District 2 planning commission member Lynn Barnes announced his resignation. The resignation was effective immediately. Barnes has represented District 2 on the planning commission for seven years.

Barnes cited frustration with the board of supervisors as his reason.

"I think the board [of supervisors] has forced this planning commission into a position of giving in," Barnes said.